September 15, 2000
		French Biotech Protester Sentenced to Jail José Bové, the French farmer who gained worldwide media attention last year for leading an attack on a McDonald’s restaurant, was convicted of criminal vanadlism on September 13 and sentenced to three months in prison. Speaking on the steps of the courthouse after yesterday’s verdict, Bové said, “It's not the risk of going to prison that is going to stop us from protesting. The important thing is for the movement to continue to grow whatever the price is that we may have to pay here today." Bové, who organized the August 12, 1999 attack against a McDonald’s restaurant that was being constructed near his home, was tried along with eight other defendents who were given penalties ranging from fines to two-month suspended prison terms. Bové has become a folk hero to the anti-globalization movement worldwide. His attack on McDonald’s was prompted by the United States' decision to levy high tariffs on imported food in retaliation for the European Union's decision to ban American hormone-treated beef. Bové is a cheese producer. “The court thinks this judment is going to stop the battle. But the fight is going on all over the world...against bad food.” Bové, who was surprised by the harsh verdict, plans to appeal. "I think this is a very severe judgment," he said. "The magistrate didn't understand the movement or the motivation behind what we did." In the meantime, the sentence isn’t slowing him down. He plans to be in Bangalore, India, at the end of September to take part in a protest against genetically modified grain. He also has a very busy speaking schedule. "The combat will continue," he said.